Home >> Do-It-Yourself >> Home Appliance Repair

Home Appliance Repair

Before calling in a specialist to deal with an appliance that has stoppedworking, there are certain basic checks that you can carry out yourself to remedy the most commonly occurring problems. Always unplug an appliancewhile fault finding until you are readyro test ir. With all appliances, firstcheck the instruction manual under'Fault Finding' and recommendations for your particular amake of appliance. Ensure that the plug or plugs are pushed in firmly and thatthe socket (receptacle) switch is on.This may seem an obvious point, butcan easily he overlooked if the switch ishidden behind the appliance. Look tosee whether the flex is loose or split - ifso, switch off the power and replace theflex as soon as possible.

If all these things are in order, see below for checks and repairs that you can carry outyourself. If these are not successful youwill have to call in an engineer.

A portable air conditioner

Ilan air conditioner is nor coolingproperly, or is operating erratically, itmay he the incorrect size for the room.(If too small, it will operate continuallyand may ice up, making the room feelcold and damp.) Check to see whetherthe filter needs cleaning, or whetherthe seal or panels are our of position.Also check the internal evaporator andexterior condenser coils, and cleanthem as necessary.

If an air conditioner is not workingat all, the thermostat control may heincorrectly set. Alternatively, if themachine has a water reservoir, this mayneed emptying.

A dishwasher

If the hose is leaking, it may be due to aloose clip, or the hose may be damaged.Ensure that clips are right and secure,and either tape up the hose or replaceit as necessary.

lf the water is emptying slowly, there may be a blockage in the pump or outletfilter. Disconnect the outlet hose andremove any debris. Prise out the filterand clean.

If the dishwasher is simply notcleaning the dishes properly, you maybe using the wrong programme, or theremay be a blockage in the spray arms. Ifthe programme is correct, unscrew thecentral huh cap on the spray ann andwash it out if necessary.

A food processor

If a food processor only producesintermittent bursts of power, or thespeed is erratic, the causes could be aworn drive belt, or food clogged insidethe casing or commutator. Undo themachine casing screws and check thebelt for nicks or signs of perishing.

Clean the inside of the machinethoroughly using a soft, dry brush. Thecommutator contains lots of copperstrips and is situated between thebrushes in the motor. Clean gently withmethylated spirits (denatured alcohol).

A kettle

there is no power, and the kettle willnot hear up, check for any loose wiringor poor connections in the lead andplug and re-wire as necessary. If thisdoes not solve the problem, the cut-outdevice may have been triggered. Tryre-setting the cut-our hut, if itcontinues to trip, you will need toreplace it. Another possibility is thatthe element is damaged, so check forhairline cracks. if the repair is likely to costly, however, it may be easiersimply to replace the kettle.

A refrigerator

If the problem is poor cooling, causingthe ice box to melt, the causes are likelyto be a faulty door seal or a faultycondenser, Or it could be that the fridgesimply needs de-frosting. Check thedoor seal for perished or damaged areas,and replace it if necessary. Check thecondenser by turning the temperaturecontrol to the lowest setting. Leave thedoor open for 5 minutes, then seewhether the motor comes on when youshut the door. U. nothing happens, thecondenser is probably faulty and youwill need to call in an engineer. Youshould de-frost the refrigeratorapproximately every month.

If the refrigerator temperature is toocold, causing some foods to freeze, theproblem may simply be an incorrectthermostat-setting, or the thermostatmay he faulty.

A tumble drier

If a drier is particularly noisy whenin use, the drum hearings may be worn or the fan could he loose. Checkthe condition of the front and rearhearings, and that the large fan on themain motor is secure and not rotatingindependently. Check the fan fordamage and replace it if necessary.

If loads of washing are nor dryingproperly, the cause may he a blockedfilter, or it could be that you are simplyoverloading the machine. Remove thefilter and clean away any fluff. Place asmaller quantity of laundry in the drumbefore re-starring the drier.

A washing machine

If the problem is leaking water, thecauses could be a faulty hose or hoseconnection, a perished door seal, ablocked outlet or a faulty pump. Switchoff the machine and remove anywashing from inside. Check that thefilter is nor blocked, check the outlethose for any blockage, and check thepump by switching to the rinse cycle.Check the hose and connections forany leaks, and make a temporary repairwith adhesive tape if possible to preventfurther leakage. Examine the door sealand replace it if damaged, or seewhether garments or an object havebeen caught in the door gasket.

If the problem is that the machine isnot emptying, the causes could be afaulty pump, or a blocked filter or outlethose. Switch off the machine, and drain down the system following, theinstruction manual. Open the filter andremove any debris or objects using anold toothbrush. Also check the pumpdisturber and remove any blockage.

If the drum of the machine will norturn, the reason may be a slack orbroken drive belt.

Other Do It Yourself Articles:

| Austrian Blind | Buffet Party | Buying Plants | Ceiling Decorating | Choose Paint Brush | Choosing Floor Coverings | Choosing Your Own Flower Arrangements | Choosing Landscaping Plants | Choosing Themes | Christmas Decoration Ideas | Cleaning Tip | Container Gardening Ideas | Cooking Methods and Choice of Nuts | Cooking Tip | Cornice Window Treatments | Covering Floors | Cusion Materials | Daily Household Chores | Decorating Rooms | Decorative Art Painting Technique | Decoupage Equipment | Decoupage Ideas | Dinner Table Etiquette | Display Lighting | Diy Soft Furnishing Hot Tips | Do It Yourself Wood Storage | Door Repair | Double Glazing Windows | Draught Proof Door | Dried Fruit Loaf | Dusting Tips | Easy Cushion Embellishments | Emergency and First Aid | Fabric Repair Holes | First Aid Survival Guide | Fish Varieties | Fitting Shelves in an Alcove | Fixing Electric Fan | Flooring Repair | Floral Displays For The Home | Flower Arrangement Center Piece | Flower Arranging | Flower Arranging Tips | Flower Bathroom Decor | Flower Decorating | Flower Drying | Flower Drying Equipment | Food Safety Guidelines | Free Standing Shelving | Fresh Flower Arrangement | Fruit Preparing | Garden Floor Plan Designs | Garden Gravel | Gardening Finishing Touches | Garden Lighting Ideas | Garden {aving | Gilding Equipment | Gilding Techniques | Grass Alternatives | Handsewing | Hanging Doors | Hanging Picture Frames | Picture Hanging | Healthy Diet Plan | Home Appliance Repair | Home Improvement Budget | Home Interior Decorating | Home Ligting | Homemade Christmas Decorations | Home Safety Awareness | Home Safety Checklist | Home Security | House Cleaning Tips | Household Tips for Laundry | Housekeeping Tips | How to Make Bed Linen | How to Make a Wreath | How to Make Icing | Herbs and Spices | How to Decorate a Table | Candle Decorating | Decorating Tip | House Plant Care | How Do I Pick A Good Vacuum Cleaner | How Do You Decorate a China | How to Increase Livable Space | How to Antique Furniture | How to Build a Pergola | How to Decorate Glass Ornaments | How to Decorate Lamp Shades | How to Decorate My Home | How to Dress a Bed | How to Build a Storage Box | How to Choose Ceramic Tile | Lawn and Garden Care | How to Build a Closet | How to Create a Beautiful Outdoor | How to Install Cabinet Hinge | Patio Ideas | Window Dressing | Dried Flower Arranging | Using Herbs | Kitchen Gardening | How to Install Vinyl Floor | Create More Space in the Home | Stain Removal | Home Insulation | How to Fit a Door | How to Fit Dado Rail Upstairs | How to Make Curtain Valences | How to Make Roman Blinds | How to Organize Space | How to Plan a Party | How to Prepare to Paint House | How to Prune Trees | How to Recycle | How to Sew a Box Cushion | How to Use a Paint Brush | How to Use Fresh Ingredient | Hydroculture | Ideas On How To Set Up Contract For Home Improvement | Illness and Child Care | Indoor Plant Display | Installing Crown Moulding | Home and Interior Garden | Ironing Tips | Kitchen Lighting | Kitchen Organize Tips | Landscape Garden Design | Last Day Before Holiday | Lawn Weed Control | Laying a Foam Backed Carpet | Laying a Woven Carpet | Laying Carpet on Stairs | Laying Floor Tiles | Laying Hardwood Flooring | Laying Vinyl Tile | Low Maintenance Plants | Hanging Mirror | How to Make Curtain | Textile Patching | Moving House | Napkin Folds | Outdoor Safety | Paint Effects | Painting Doors | Wallpapering Tips | Paperhanging Tools and Equipment | Party Planning Ideas | Pet Safety | Planning Your Garden | Plant Decoration | Plant Potting | Plaster Wall Repair | Preparing For Paperhanging | Preparing Garden Soil | Preparing Surfaces For Covering | Preparing Wood Floors | Proper Table Setting | Hanging Wallpaper Border | Removing Old Finishes | Repairing Furniture | Household Appliance Repair | Rose Center Piece Flower Arrangement | Save Energy at Home | Sesame Seed Bread | Soft Furnishing | Soft Furnishing Hot Tips | Soft Furnishing Sewing | Solid Wood Floor Installation | Stamping Equipment | Stamp Making | Stem Cutting | Stencilling Equipment | Storage Organize | Storage Shelving | Stripping Old Wall Coverings | Table Flower Decorations | Tiling a Wall | Tiling Tools | Tools and Equipment for Furnishings | Type of Houseplant | Using Colour Pattern and Texture | Using Cushions | Wall Decorating Ideas | Wallfixings | Wallpainting Ideas | Wallpapering Ceilings | Wallpapering Corners | Wallpapering Stairwells | Wall Repair | Watering Plants | Well Equipped Kitchen | Window Dressing Ideas | Window Repair | Wood Embellishment | How to Use a Sewing Machine | How to doWall Tiling | How to Install a Door | How to Fit a Curtain Pole | How to Fold a Napkin | How to Make A Round Bolster Cushion | How to Make A Stencil | How to Make Couch Cushion Covers | How to Make a Table Cloth